Sports and leisure activities Iles grecques

An experienced and reliable scuba diving center for all levels, always in small groups and in complete safety. Founded in 1993, the center also offers its services at Panormo, located at the Club Marine Palace. Atlantis Diving Center offers a variety of programs and courses for beginners and advanced divers throughout the summer months with experienced SSI and PADI instructors. A sensational experience in the underwater world. The center provides free pick up and delivery to all hotels in Rethymno.

This Greco-German family opened its farm-inn in 1998 and welcomes you in the middle of its many animals in a very friendly atmosphere and a pleasant setting, a little away from the village. They organize horseback rides: count one hour for a ride on the beach and five hours for a hike to the Odigitrias monastery (picnic lunch included in the price). Saddlery equipment in perfect condition. Horse and donkey rides for children. Possibility to stay in the farmhouse in a nice apartment.

It doesn't matter if you've never driven a buggy before, the vehicles are user-friendly, and everyone will get detailed instructions and tips before starting the 80 km tour. Going to the island's most hidden spots to meet the locals makes this experience unique. Departure: 10 a.m. Return around 4pm. Driving license required. Passengers: minimum age 7. Half-price for children under 10. Offers on site.

It's the only riding school in Hersonissos. It offers day rides or 3-hour guided rides, with lunch and a shuttle from the hotel to save you the trip to the centre. The opportunity to discover a part of the region in a different way, taking your time, and in the middle of nature, to take part in the transition to a greener tourism. There is another equestrian centre of the same kind in the nearby town of Malia.

Created in 1993, this 5-star PADI center for beginners and experienced divers is located in the Nea Hora district and has offices in the old Venetian port. Instructors of different nationalities focus on safety. Excursions are made on board their recent 25m boat. It allows families and friends to accompany the divers. The brands Mares, Cress, Sherwood, Scubapro are sold in the shop at interesting prices. The centre is open in season, from April to October, depending on the year.

The Crete Golf Club, located near Hersonissos in the hinterland, offers a beautiful 18-hole course. Every year in October, a competition is organized and attracts many participants passing through Crete. Of course you will find instructors on site to take private lessons. The club also has a shop and a restaurant and offers reduced rates in low season and for the younger ones. You will need to bring suitable golf shoes, of course: they are compulsory.

Since 1995, the Kissamos Diving School, one of the first in Hania, very professional, offers PADI, Dan Europe... courses, in complete safety and for all levels. Beginners start in the small fishing port next door. Activities all year round on request. Also offers a shop for material and equipment. Diving points: 70 miles from the bays of Kissamos and Hania to Paleohora via Elafonissi, Livadia, etc.

If you are looking for a friendly outdoor activity that combines vacation, fun, learning and respect for the environment while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Lake Kournas and its surroundings, the Zoraïda club offers horseback riding vacations and nice rides for everyone! For intermediate riders, there are half-day or multi-day rides, on the beach or in the hills. A pleasant, well organized activity and a great way to discover the region.

This bike rental company and specialized agency offers guided bike tours throughout the region. You can discover the coast as well as the hinterland, according to your preferences. On the program: visit of cultural sites, beach sessions, nature tours. A very good alternative to discover the region in a different way and participate in the transition to a greener tourism. Also bike rental (mountain bikes, VTC and VTT) at reduced prices.

A very professional and multilingual diving centre offers you the opportunity to discover the dazzling underwater richness of Crete. Excursions are frequent as there are caves to visit and 25 dive sites around Agia Pelagia. If you book on the website at least one week in advance, you will receive a discount. The transfer is assured but limited to the area between Fodele and Gouves. Possibility of diving at sunset.

Dutch scuba diving school, experienced and very serious, open from April to October, for all levels. For beginners or confirmed divers, in small groups and in complete safety: dives, certification, training courses, equipment rental. French-speaking team. A half-day program is set up for beginners who are welcome as well as the whole family. A really enjoyable and well organized experience in the world of scuba diving.

It was a great experience to dive in this club, which is quite big, but perfectly organized and has enough staff for a very safe supervision. Safety, yes, but also conviviality. There is indeed an excellent atmosphere and the instructors (many of whom speak French) know how to put you at ease. Let's go over the numerous Padi courses available (the whole range in fact) to appreciate the diversity of the spots proposed. There is really something to satisfy the most demanding divers.

It is a water park, like the Aquaboulevard de Paris, but in the open air and about five times bigger. In the middle of a forest of umbrellas and bikinis snake about thirty gigantic tunnels and water slides: the Tsunami or the Kamikaze are impressive, but the smallest ones will also find their happiness. Here is a place to come with family or friends, but certainly not to seek tranquility... You will take there a dose of extreme tourism that will be enough for the rest of your stay!

Excursion by quad bike: visit of cultural sites, crossing a forest including the oldest oak tree on the island, 800 years old, visit of the Vasilakis factory to learn more about the production of olive oil renowned everywhere. To finish in beauty, a swim on a beautiful beach in the village of Sisi. The off-road trip allows you to discover picturesque places, with breaks in beautiful landscapes. Of course, all the places you pass through are commented by a guide.

Reliable centre for all levels, which organizes dives on very interesting sites, in small groups and under the guidance of an experienced and professional instructor-guide. It also offers programs and courses for beginners or advanced PADI training, Open Water courses (first level of scuba diving), Scuba Diver courses for beginners, among others. Rental and sale of equipment. Book well in advance in July and August!

A spot recommended by windsurfers from all over the world: new equipment rental, lessons from French-speaking instructors and good atmosphere. The spot, created in 2004 by Hannes and Davina, respectively of Austrian and English origin, is frequented by many fans from Europe and elsewhere. Evenings are frequently organised in the centre for a convivial moment. The centre offers yoga sessions, on the beach, for beginners as well as... yogis! Climbing and mountain bike tours are also organised.

Installed on the left side of Vaï beach since 1992, this water sports club guarantees your entertainment and safety. It is one of the best yacht clubs in Crete and with good reason. A team of experienced professionals is behind the great list of water sports and games on offer: jet-skiing, water-skiing, towed buoy or banana, floating sofa, crazy octapus, flyboard, windsurfing, among others. Windsurfing courses start at the beginning of May. Several offers are proposed on the site.

An enormous vertical limestone wall stands at the end of the bay of Plakias. This cliff is just a few metres from the beach with a rock of excellent quality, up to 80 metres high. Some bolts need to be replaced, but most of them are passable. The wall faces north-west and it is possible to climb almost all day long, even during the summer. Types of holds: vertical, rulers, cracks and small columns. Beware! The routes are difficult: for experienced climbers only.

ASS is located in Almyrida, an old fishing village famous for its beach and excellent traditional tavernas. The structure offers single and double kayaks, paddles, windsurf boards and catamarans (hobbie cat 16) for hire. The ASS offers individual rentals, private lessons and even the possibility of joining groups for supervised activities. The staff are professional and very pleasant. A guarantee of quality: ASS is a partner of UCPA, and all our instructors are state-qualified.

Visit Crete by bike, thanks to Hellas Bike, and support the global effort for a greener, more sustainable and more responsible tourism. Various tours are carefully designed according to your level (very easy, easy, medium, difficult) and criss-cross the western part of Crete, from north to south. Linda and Thanasis, the managers of the agency, put at your disposal mountain bikes, helmets, pumps, repair sets and anti-theft devices. Very practical: they will deliver all the equipment to your holiday destination, between Hania and Kolymbari.

This scuba diving centre, created in 1987, is located in the heart of the Minos Beach Hotel. In addition to diving courses, the renowned Pelagos centre also offers water sports equipment for hire: sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, etc. For those who like to be more adventurous, the centre also offers "donut" and "banana" outings, as well as motorboat trips to Mochlos, the island of Spinalonga or the bay of Mirabello. Boat rentals without a licence for the day are also available.

Learn the art of pottery in the Flakatoras workshop, amidst an impressive collection of ceramics of all kinds. During the first one and a half hour class, you will be taught the basics on the wheel. Call or drop by directly to book a memorable morning with family or friends! An interesting and participative way to discover a typical art of the island, which dates back to the Cretan mists of time, and to perpetuate a unique know-how to future generations and new audiences

This is a good idea to discover Naxos, even if you have never mounted horse, Niki, a German and his francophone friend offer many equestrian excursions: tours of the island in one day (100 € per person) or in 3 days, 3-hour walk (50 €) or 2 hours (35 €, off season only), children's walks (20 € for 30-45 minutes), as well as horseback riding lessons for the big and large. Day trips begin at 8 a. m. in the morning, for a return period. In the direction of At, you will enjoy a stop in Faros, for lunch and sunbathing on the beach or the swimming pool. 20 years of experience. Book at least one day in advance.

Mykonos on horseback. Discover other facets of the island. From 2 a. m. to 3 p. m. with swimming, picnic, lunch at the water restaurant. Special short-term programme for children with snacks and drinks. For honey moons: golf course or night with champagne and fruit on the beach. Groups welcome. Fanis Rouvas, a riding instructor, works with passion. During the winter, he stays with his horses in the mountain from Vorras to Kaimaktsalon.

Those who want a little less crowd, but still enjoy the same services, should go to the beach of Kalo Livadi, towards the west. You will find the junction on the road, a little after the exit of Ano Meria. Between the two, the curious will discover a pleasant little beach with emerald waters and less visited. It is the beach of Aghia Anna, also called Divounia Beach. It can be reached by road or in a few minutes on foot by a path that starts from Kalafatis and is famous for its fine sand and good restaurant.

Among the many activities offered here, parasailing over the coast of Perivolos is a rather unforgettable way to see the southern coast of the island from the air. You will take off from the specially chartered boat and fly over the sea. A certified crew will make sure you enjoy the whole trip safely. It's not cheap, but quite unique. Otherwise, the coasts of the island can be discovered by flyboard or, closer to sea level, by boat, jet-ski or tubing. Strong and visual emotions guaranteed!

The club offers courses and training for all levels, from beginner to expert. The club also runs a summer camp for children, which is very popular with parents. The facilities are top-quality and the atmosphere is friendly.

Tired of swimming and wanting to see a little more green than blue? Fanis offers horseback riding on the beaches or in the valley. Ideal to see the sunset differently with a little peace and quiet. Possible packages with picnic and pick up at your hotel.

Probably one of the best known in Santorini. Apostolos, the founder, has over 20 years of experience on the island and was the first Cousteau Divers instructor in Greece. Explore the impressive underwater landscape around the caldera of Santorini and search for the remains of the lost city of Atlantis, as many explorers, adventurers and scientists have done before you. The centre is also very active in the preservation of the environment, and is fighting to create a protected marine area around the caldera.

They can provide you with any practical information you may need. Diving all levels. Exit to the island of Gavdos also. Very reliable.

Framed by Simon Montmory, state-run climbing instructor, develop your own climbing program on Kalymnos's most beautiful tracks. For all levels of climbers and organized into small groups to give preference to optimal teaching. 

Kefalos Bay is home to one of the best windsurfing spots on Kos. In recent years, wingfoil has also developed here: you'll find navigation details in our special report at the beginning of this guide. There's also a reference address for professional lessons and courses and/or for renting quality equipment. There's also a kitesurfing spot at Kohilari, on the north coast of the Kefalos peninsula, though it's less well-known than Psalidi.

Kefalos Windsurfing (+30 697 762 0316 - www.kefaloswindsurfing.com): individual or group lessons.

This is the island's most popular sport, known internationally for its exceptional walls, especially around Myrties and Massouri where you will find the necessary equipment and supervision.

The reference site is climbkalymnos.com: all information about climbing, updated daily.

The Kalymnos Climbing Festival normally takes place every year around mid October. Don't forget to book your accommodation!

Frenchman Simon Montmory(references above) has set up a climbing school, offering courses and workshops for all levels.

Diving is the historical queen of aquatic practices in Kalymnos: the marine fauna is particularly rich and the seabed is covered with shipwrecked vessels from all periods. Diving is highly regulated: any archaeological findings must be reported to the authorities. Legislation is being reviewed to facilitate the creation of underwater museums in the island's waters. A club to note, south of Pothia:

Kalymnos Diving Club (+30 693 875 5896 - kalymnosdiving.com) : PADI training, outings and equipment rental.

This is the queen activity of Leros: not surprising when you consider the tragic history of this strategic base during the Second World War. The seabed is littered with shipwrecks of ships that were torpedoed and sunk during the hard battle of Leros, as well as warplanes. The most famous case is the destroyer Queen Olga, which is a unique diving site today. A club to note for your outings, PADI training and equipment rental:

Hydrovius Diving Centre (+30 22470 26025 - www.hydrovius.gr) located in Krithoni

The long beach of Theologos is exposed to the meltemi and offers unique conditions for windsurfing, kitesurfing and wingfoiling. The spot is ideal for beginners looking for a flat ride. Freeride and slalom experts can wait for the wind to pick up in the afternoon. There are two professional addresses for training and equipment hire:

WetSkillz (+30 6944 222 689 - wetskillz.com).

Surf & Kite Theologos (+30 224 108 2203 - www.surftheologos.com)

The beaches near the city centre are almost impassable in the summer because they are overcrowded. This is particularly the case of the seafront that runs northwards along the town, in the Lambi area where hotels and deckchairs follow one another. Towards the south-east of Kos-city, the beaches are a little less crowded:

Psalidi, perfect for kitesurfing but beware of crowds too (3 km away)

Aghios Fokas, famous for its clear waters but avoid the resorts section (8 km away)

Embros Therma with its source of sulphurous water that heats up to 40 °C and its beautiful landscapes (12 km away)

The Psalidi spot on the north-eastern tip of the island is one of Greece's most famous for windsurfing, kitesurfing and now wingfoiling. These are actually two separate spots, just 1 km apart. We have detailed the sailing conditions in the special report at the beginning of this guide. Numerous clubs have set up shop here, but we've chosen a friendly, serious address that's well known among professionals:

Windzone (+30 6939117475 or +30 6979723193 - windzone-kos.gr)offers equipment and courses for all three sports.

Managed by an expert team of marine biologists, Blutopia offers since 1995 a complete discovery of the fauna and flora of the Aegean Sea through diving in crystal clear waters. From diving for beginners, in shallow waters, to proposals for the more expert in the open sea among caves and wrecks. Blutopia is a center with a strong commitment to the environment. It also offers educational trips to the marine reserve where you can visit a fish farm, discover the ecosystem that develops around it and the unique benefits of aquaculture, its nutritional value for people and its contribution to the protection of the sea. Don't miss the opportunity to take advantage of the day trips and visit the Alimia and Chalki islands.

In Grikos itself, you can swim on a small, busy beach before walking along the enormous bay to the rock that closes it off on a sandy isthmus. It is said to possess magnetic healing powers. The bay of Petra extends across the isthmus: good swimmers should head for the islet of Tragonissi (beware of currents!). Walkers will prefer the path dotted with wild coves that continues south to the shipyard. It's a magnificent, unspoilt walk in this corner of Patmos, between sea and sky.

This cycling agency was founded 30 years ago, and the team's professionalism has been maintained over the years. The proof: these enthusiasts manage the major cycling races held on the island, including the Tour de Rhodes, the most important cycling race in Greece. If you're looking for a different way to travel and discover Rhodes while taking your time and limiting your carbon footprint, there's nothing better than signing up for a guided tour of the roads and itineraries on offer. There are many options from intermediate to advanced levels.

If you follow the coastal path southwards, you will find the beach of Papa Mina (2 hours round trip), and northwards, the beach of Vananda (1 hour round trip). From there, you can continue to the northern tip of the island, to Tristomo, in front of the islet of Saria (plan for the day): an option may be to plan a return trip on a caique. For a longer loop (allow 5 hours), go up to the pastoral village of Avlona then go down to the bay of Vroukounda where natural pools and ancient ruins await you.

The bays of Ixia and Ialyssos offer ideal riding conditions, with spots of varying difficulty. Kremasti is more suited to kitesurfing, while the bay of Ialyssos is geared towards windsurfing and wingfoil (the spot hosted the European wingfoil championships in 2022). Two professional addresses to remember for your lessons and equipment hire:

Windsurfers' World: +30 22410 24995 - windsurfersworld.gr

ProCenter Rhodos: +30 22410 96177 - www.procenter-rhodos.com

It is an experienced dive center, open since 1998 from May to October, and present in Laganas and Tsilivi.

For a breathtaking experience in some of the most beautiful waters of Zakynthos, you can count on Kostas and his team. They are always at your side, guiding beginners. You will feel safe every minute of this unforgettable dive. Also on the program: boat trips, cave trips, PADI certification, dives for all levels and even snorkeling. Non-divers are welcome too.

In 1965, Charalampos Tsaousoglou bought the Xenia Hotel in Corfu. His cousin Cleon Kedros from Trieste, a golf enthusiast, and his good friend Constantin Karamanlis, former president of the Greek democracy, are said to have suggested that Corfu needed a golf course to become a high quality tourist resort. More than 50 years later, golf enthusiasts will tell you that it is one of the best golf courses in Europe, and one of their best kept secrets. It was designed by the famous Swiss architect Donald Harradine and blends in nicely with nature.

The races usually start in May. The start and finish are at the port of Kassiopi, north of Pantokrator. The routes, from 9 to 35 km, are laid out among the most beautiful natural landscapes of the island, especially along the coast. The paths through the villages are those used by the locals fleeing pirate attacks in the past. The race will even take the runners through the old fortress. An exceptional way to discover Corfu in all the diversity that makes up its splendour.

The Achilleon Diving Center offers to accompany you on a dive in the corners of Palaiokastritsa, the islet of Othonoi and the island of Paxos. For certified divers, twenty-six spots are accessible. For beginners, several options are also available, such as the Messonghi Center, part of Natura 2000, an ecological network of protected areas. Among the staff, you will find French-speaking people. Palaiokastritsa remains the most famous place for Corfu divers.

Nothing to say, here everything slides. It's a very fun park, well designed, with lots of different slide varieties. A water park with a lot of attractions and other wave pools for your toddlers to enjoy. Admission is not free, but you will have a great day. Within the building there are cafeterias, restaurants, ice cream parlours, a bar, a shop... Many deckchairs are available free of charge throughout the park, so that older children won't get bored either!